RMA projects 2% increase in tire shipments

摘要

Tire shipments in 2012 are projected to increase by approximately 2%, nearly six million units, to 290 million units, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. For 2011, tire shipments showed a slight 0.2% decrease to 284 million units. Contributing to the small growth were a 26% year-over-year increase in gas prices that affected vehicle miles traveled, as well as several global natural disasters that affected vehicle builds and original equipment shipments.